Renewable Energy Generated 35 Percent of Electricity Demand in Germany in First Half of 2017

According to the latest figures from the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research in Baden-Wurttemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), solar PV generated 21.9 billion kWh of electricity, an increase of 13.5 percent in the first half (1H) of 2017. In the first half of 2016 19.3 billion kWh were generated. Wind energy on land contributed 39.4 billion kWh and offshore wind energy generating 8.8 billion kWh. The contribution of biomass increased by 2.2 percent from 22.7 billion kWh in 1H 2017 compared to 23.2 billion kWh in 1H 2016.

Germany has been a pioneer when it comes to renewable energy generation and integration. The country is planning to phase out all of its nuclear plants by 2022 and has a target of 80 percent of power from renewables by 2050. One challenge to the growth the country is experiencing is grid connection related issue. According to Stefan Kapferer, CEO of BDEW, grid expansion has not kept pace with the growth of renewables in the country.

According to the latest numbers announced by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), Germany’s PV installations in June of 2017 came to 206.5 MW, a slight decrease from the 212 MW installed in May. By comparison, Germany had installed 119 MW in June 2016.

Germany installed a total of 3.3 GW in 2013, 1.9 GW in 2014 and 1.5 GW in 2015. Total cumulative installations in Germany at the end of 2016 reached 40.8 GW. In June 2017, a total of 6,455 systems were installed with the average system size of about 18.29 kW. Around 39 percent of installations came from projects over 1 MW, 21 percent of installations came from projects of 40 kW-1 MW, 16 percent of installations came from projects of 10-40 kW, and 36 percent of installations came from small projects up to 10 kW.

Saumy has been with MercomIndia as a staff reporter covering business and energy news since 2016. Prior to Mercom, Saumy was a copy editor at Thomson Reuters. Saumy earned his Bachelors Degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University. Saumy can be reached at: